Deadly downtown brawl: Man killed in fight was homeless, police say

Metro police on Monday said Central Precinct detectives have identified the people involved in a fight downtown over the weekend that left a man dead.

The fight, which took place at 3 a.m. near Second Avenue North and Commerce Street left Nicolas Christian, 30, with fatal head injuries. He died over the weekend at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Most of the people identified, who police said are all Middle Tennesseans, had been interviewed by detectives as of mid Monday. 

Police did not release names of those they interviewed but said the investigation is continuing. An autopsy on Christian is pending.

On Monday, Metro spokesman Don Aaron said Christian's arrest record indicates he was homeless and previously lived in Hickman County.

"At one point he was knocked to the ground and, while down — perhaps unconscious, was continuously punched before a witness intervened," police said in a statement.

Several surveillance photographs of the people believed to have taken part have been released.

Police believe that several people at the scene took videos and photos of the fight and are asking for these as well.

Members of the public are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 if they have any information about the fight.